A Discovery of Witches: The All Souls Trilogy, Book 1

When historian Diana Bishop opens an alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, it's an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordered life. Though Diana is a witch of impeccable lineage, the violent death of her parents while she was still a child convinced her that human fear is more potent than any witchcraft. Now Diana has unwittingly exposed herself to a world she's kept at bay for years; one of powerful witches, creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires.

The Witching Hour

Demonstrating once again her gift for spellbinding storytelling, Anne Rice makes real for us a great dynasty of four centuries of witches - a family given to poetry and incest, murder and philosophy, a family that over the ages is itself haunted by a powerful, dangerous, and seductive being called Lasher who haunts the Mayfair women....

The Assassin's Blade: The Throne of Glass Novellas

Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom's most feared assassin. Though she works for the powerful and ruthless Assassin's Guild, Celaena yields to no one and trusts only her fellow killer for hire, Sam. When Celaena's scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, she finds herself acting independently of his wishes - and questioning her own allegiance. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies alike, and discovers that she feels far more for Sam than just friendship.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

When 19-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin - one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone

In general, Karou has managed to keep her two lives in balance. On the one hand, she's a 17-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to a monstrous creature who is the closest thing she has to family. Raised half in our world, half in 'Elsewhere', she has never understood Brimstone's dark work - buying teeth from hunters and murderers - nor how she came into his keeping. She is a secret even to herself, plagued by the sensation that she isn't whole.

Lady Midnight: A Shadowhunter Novel: The Dark Artifices, Book 1

It's been five years since the events of City of Heavenly Fire that brought the Shadowhunters to the brink of oblivion. Emma Carstairs is no longer a child in mourning but a young woman bent on discovering what killed her parents and avenging her losses. Together with her parabatai, Julian Blackthorn, Emma must learn to trust her head and her heart as she investigates a demonic plot that stretches across Los Angeles, from the Sunset Strip to the enchanted sea that pounds the beaches of Santa Monica. If only her heart didn't lead her in treacherous directions....

Strange Magic

Rosie Strange doesn't believe in ghosts or witches or magic. It's no surprise therefore that when she inherits the ramshackle Essex Witch Museum, her first thought is to take the money and run. Still, the museum exerts a curious pull over Rosie. There's the eccentric academic who bustles in to demand she help in a hunt for the bones of the notorious Ursula Cadence, a witch long since put to death. And there's curator Sam Stone, a man about whom Rosie can't decide if he's tiresomely annoying or extremely captivating.

Covenant College: The Complete Series

Zoe Lake is heading off to college - and she's excited. It's not a regular college, though. It's a magical college full of vampires, werewolves, ghosts, witches, sphinxes - and pretty much everything else you can imagine. Despite the monsters, it's often human nature that threatens her life most.

Deal with the Devil

Luz Velez is a shapeshifter who can't shift. Every time she tries to summon her inner wolf, she has a massive panic attack. Worse, her anxiety extends to the rest of her life. At 27, she's still a virgin because attempting to have sex sends her into lockdown mode. She's miserable and stuck - until Jude Jacobson comes along. Tall, blond, and dangerous, Jude is the most feared vampire in town, and the minute he sees her, he wants Luz. Vampires and shapeshifters don't date, but he makes her an offer she can't refuse.

Bound Series Box Set, Books 1-3.5: Bound by Duty, Bound by Spells, Bound by Prophecy and Bound Together

Amelia grew up in a world of half truths. She knows she's an Elder but has no idea what that means. Her father reminds her daily that she must maintain control, but he refuses to explain why. Even worse, she's betrothed to the prince of the Immortals and doesn't even know his name.

The Bone Witch

When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother from the dead, she learns she is different from the other witches in her family. Her gift for necromancy means that she's a bone witch, a title that makes her feared and ostracized by her community. But Tea finds solace and guidance with an older, wiser bone witch, who takes Tea and her brother to another land for training.

Angels' Blood: The Guild Hunter Series, Book 1

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she's the best - but she doesn't know if she's good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clear - failure is not an option... even if the task she's been set is impossible. Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad. The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other, and pull her to the razor's edge of passion.

White Silence: Elizabeth Cage, Book 1

Elizabeth Cage is a child when she discovers that there are things in this world that only she can see. But she doesn't want to see them, and she definitely doesn't want them to see her. What is a curse to Elizabeth is a gift to others - a very valuable gift they want to control. When her husband dies, Elizabeth's world descends into a nightmare. But as she tries to piece her life back together, she discovers that not everything is as it seems.

Afterlife: Afterlife Saga, Book 1

Afterlife...just some gothic nightclub where gossip is fuelled by the presence of a rich and unearthly, handsome family or afterlife...the strange place where time seems to stand still and guests feel the presence of something more powerful held within the confines of the VIP. Keira is new to this small, cold town and is running from a past that seems to feast on her darkest memories. She finds living with her sister away from English soil to be just the ticket to the new life she is trying desperately to find.

Ink and Bone: Great Library, Book 1

In 48 AD, a fire set by the troops of Julius Caesar destroyed much of the Great Library of Alexandria. But what if the fire had been stopped? What would the library have become? Fast forward: The Great Library is now a separate country protected by its own standing army. Jess Brightwell, 17 years old and very smart, with a gift for mechanical engineering, has been sent into the Great Library as a spy for his criminal family....

Written in Red: A Novel of the Others

As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut - a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg's Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard - a business district operated by the Others. Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job.

Secondborn: Secondborn, Book 1

Firstborns rule society. Secondborns are the property of the government. Thirdborns are not tolerated. Long live the Fates Republic. On Transition Day, the second child in every family is taken by the government and forced into servitude. Roselle St. Sismode's eighteenth birthday arrives with harsh realizations: she's to become a soldier for the Fate of Swords military arm of the Republic during the bloodiest rebellion in history, and her elite firstborn mother is happy to see her go.

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs: Half-Moon Hollow, Book 1

Maybe it was the Shenanigans gift certificate that put her over the edge. When children's librarian and self-professed nice girl Jane Jameson is fired by her beastly boss and handed $25 in potato skins instead of a severance check, she goes on a bender that's sure to become Half Moon Hollow legend. On her way home, she's mistaken for a deer, shot, and left for dead.

Midnight Witch

'The dead are seldom silent. All that is required for them to be heard is that someone be willing to listen. I have been listening to the dead all my life.' Lady Lilith Montgomery is the daughter of the sixth Duke of Radnor. She is one of the most beautiful young women in London and engaged to the city's most eligible bachelor. She is also a witch. When her father dies, her hapless brother Freddie takes on his title. But it is Lilith who inherits their father's role as Head Witch of the Lazarus Coven.

Abducted: Alien Mate Index, Book 1

Being dragged through a mirror, naked and screaming, onto an extraterrestrial ship was bad. Finding out I had been sold to a huge alien male who looks like the devil was worse. But learning he wanted to trade me to an intergalactic petting zoo was the worst of all! Now I'm whizzing through the galaxy with a robot butler, a trio of nib-nibs (they're like tiny green monkeys), and one huge, muscular, and very grumpy alien.

Nightlord: Sunset

Eric didn't ask to be a vampire. In fact he didn't even believe in them. Biting your own tongue with your fangs does a lot of convincing. Even so, being a part-time undead isn't as easy as you might think. It can let you hold down a day job, true, but sometimes the night "life" can be more than a little difficult, what with those bloodthirsty urges and predatory instincts kicking in.

Golden Age: The Shifting Tides, Book 1

The discovery of a strange and superior warship sends Dion, youngest son of the king of Xanthos, and Chloe, a Phalesian princess, on a journey across the sea, where they are confronted by a kingdom far more powerful than they could ever have imagined. But they also find a place in turmoil, for the ruthless sun king, Solon, is dying. In order to gain entrance to heaven, Solon is building a tomb - a pyramid clad in gold - and has scoured his own empire for gold until there's no more to be found.

The first three books in this action-packed, wildly original fantasy series by New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Walt. This kick-ass urban fantasy series has been compared to books by Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Karen Marie Moning, and more. You're sure to enjoy it if you like spunky heroines, kick-ass fight scenes, wild new worlds, and sizzling, slow-building romance.

Father of Lies: A Darkly Disturbing Occult Horror Trilogy Series, Book 1

Ruby is the most violently disturbed patient ever admitted to Drummersgate Asylum, high on the bleak moors of northern England. With no improvement after two years, Dr. Jack McGowan finally decides to take a risk and hypnotizes her - with terrifying consequences. A horrific dark force is now unleashed on the entire medical team, as each in turn attempts to unlock Ruby's shocking and sinister past. Who is this girl? And how did she manage to survive such unimaginable evil?

Publisher's Summary

It began with A Discovery of Witches. Historian Diana Bishop, descended from a line of powerful witches, and long-lived vampire Matthew Clairmont have broken the laws dividing creatures. When Diana discovered a significant alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, she sparked a struggle in which she became bound to Matthew. Now the fragile coexistence of witches, daemons, vampires and humans is dangerously threatened. Seeking safety, Diana and Matthew travel back in time to London, 1590. But they soon realise that the past may not provide a haven. Reclaiming his former identity as poet and spy for Queen Elizabeth, the vampire falls back in with a group of radicals known as the School of the Night. Many are unruly daemons, the creative minds of the age, including playwright Christopher Marlowe and mathematician Thomas Harriot.

Together Matthew and Diana scour Tudor London for the elusive manuscript Ashmole 782, and search for the witch who will teach Diana how to control her remarkable powers....

Fall under the spell of Diana and Matthew once more in this stunning, richly imagined, epic tale.

The story and character evolve and become richer in Shadow of Night. Diana matures mentally and emotionally, as she learns more about her magic. In Shadow of Night, Diana becomes a strong woman, as she recognises Matthew's decisions are repeatedly bad. It amuses me how she diplomatically lets him know he needs to respect her decisions. Matthew is good for strength/protection and sex. As this becomes more clear, I'm hoping anyone who compares this series with Twilight changes their opinion. The characters are vastly different, Deborah Harkness' story has richness, depth and intelligence. Her knowledge of the more sophisticated occult lore, combined with history adds enormously to my enjoyment of this story.

I listen to audio books as I work (I'm an artist), which may mean 8 hrs a day - in light of this, it's fair for me to say Jennifer Ikeda is an excellent narrator. Her ability to depict different characters' voices is amazing. Easy to listen to.

This second book takes you to the 1590's a fascinating time. I have never really been a lover of history but Deborah Harkness take on it is enlightening, thoughtful and leaves you wanting more. In this book you meet Phillip, Mathews father and what a formidable character he is. I feel that this could be a book in itself. However the character I love the most is Jack, he does not play a big part, but for such a small role he makes huge impact.

For such a long book it is an easy listen and a great follow on from part 1.

Deborah Harkenss's first novel was sort of a guilty pleasure. This squeal however is something much better written and less about a love story than personal grows and development. It transports you into a time in England of Shakespeare, Marlow and Sir Walter Raleigh. I was taken in to the world of 16th England... and very much enjoyed the journey...

I have put of reading this series I think because of the brief description and cover (silly I know) but I was at a loss on what to download for my holidays so downloaded the Discovery of Witches and this book. I am so very please I did. It has been a very long time since I have enjoyed a book this much.

The story line is strong easy to follow and not disapointing, the characters are very well formed and play equally stron parts through the novel.

You do need to read the books in order as they would be very confusing as stand alone novels.

I cannot wait for the final part of the series to be published.

Jennifer Ikeda the narrator does an amazing job of helping create the characters with differt accents, inflections and historical inflection.

Deborah harkness must have done considerable amount of research into Elizabethan England, France and Spain because the detail was excellent and factually correct.

Lastly I have read that this series is to be adapted to film, whilst very excited I really hope they are able to capture the heart and soul of this series.

A great witch/vampire novel....not the same soppy love story that is becoming all too popular. Great depth of characters and well researched historically.

What does Jennifer Ikeda bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Wonderful accents, well done.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I couldn't wait to get back into the car to listen more.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Ann Hawkins

Auckland, New Zealand

25/08/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"History plus fantasy and damned fine writing!"

Would you listen to Shadow of Night again? Why?

Read it twice so far, and won't be deleting it in a hurry. It was a joy to have such a thoroughly well-researched novel from a writer who obviously loves her subject. So many other historically based offerings fall down badly with their jarring ignorance of the social mores of the time, but this one actually generates an interest to learn more.

What other book might you compare Shadow of Night to and why?

Diana Gabaldon's time-travelling series come close.

Have you listened to any of Jennifer Ikeda’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have only heard this reader's performance for the first of this (All Souls) series.She does an excellent job of reading and although there are a few mispronunciations, she has very good breath control and the ability to recognise punctuation and it's purpose . Overall she captures the personalities of the characters and draws the listener into the story. I would listen to her again with pleasure

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were too many moving passages to list here but Diana's jeopardy in the tilt-yard at Greenwich, at the hands of Marlowe and Louisa had high tension, and the bitter-sweet homecoming to Sept Tours left me thirsting for more details.

Any additional comments?

I'm really looking forward to the third volume in this series, please make it soon!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Karen

McLaren Vale, Australia

22/07/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great sequel"

I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to "A Discovery of Witches." Harkness writes fantasy and supernatural with depth and enough weight in character and plot to satisfy. This book was almost historical fiction with a supernatural twist and I enjoyed meeting the numerous historical figures in this setting. I will never read "Dr Faustus" the same way again. Although others complained that the book is too long, has too many characters, or goes into too much detail, these aspects of it were its strengths for me. I just enjoyed being immersed in this world. Harkness writes well and obviously has researched in detail, making this fantasy for grown-ups. It is a meaty and satisfying book and long enough to be great value. The narrator is excellent.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Karen

Reynella, Australia

22/07/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great sequel"

I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to "A Discovery of Witches." Harkness writes fantasy and supernatural with depth and enough weight in character and plot to satisfy. This book was almost historical fiction with a supernatural twist and I enjoyed meeting the numerous historical figures in this setting. I will never read "Dr Faustus" the same way again. Although others complained that the book is too long, has too many characters, or goes into too much detail, these aspects of it were its strengths for me. I just enjoyed being immersed in this world. Harkness writes well and obviously has researched in detail, making this fantasy for grown-ups. It is a meaty and satisfying book and long enough to be great value. The narrator is excellent.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Mrs. K. Skarbek

Australia

19/03/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Exciting & Absorbing Book"

Would you listen to Shadow of Night again? Why?

Absolutely. Partly because the story is a little complex (though in a very good way!) and partly because I enjoyed Jennifer Ikeda's reading so much. It's part two of A Discovery of Witches and I highly recommend both of these titles if you are looking for a good listen that will keep you engaged and excited.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Diana the heroine, she's intelligent, fiesty and she's got many, many unusual talents. Who wouldn't want to be her? Second would have to be Isabeau - the vampire matriarch, brought to glorious life by Jennifer Ikeda's amazing characterisation.

Have you listened to any of Jennifer Ikeda’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but honestly, I would listen to any other performances of hers. She is absolutely amazing. To carry so many different characters, male and female, young and old, to change accents too - really brilliant reading and characterisation. Highly recommend her, she really made the story come to life for me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely.

Any additional comments?

Brilliant books, excellently read. Very well worth your time.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Jenny

Charmhaven, Australia

02/02/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Excellent"

really enjoyed this book as i just had to know what happened to Diana and Matthew... cannot wait for the next book

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Sally

warrnambool, Australia

27/08/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"Disappointed with the second book of the series"

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The relationship between Matthew and Diana lost the fire and passion from the first book. It needed this to continue and grow and the storyline to move faster.

What was most disappointing about Deborah Harkness’s story?

It was to long the pace needed to be picked up. To much history lessons and not enough story and where had the Passion gone.

How could the performance have been better?

Needed a much farster pace and the story line to maybe for Diana's magic to move at a greater rate it seamed for Diana to take forever to get anywhere as the story went along.and along....

What character would you cut from Shadow of Night?

To many of political historical characters

Any additional comments?

I loved the first book like everyone i looked forward to the second but was disappointed this is not to say i will not read the 3rd book. I missed some of the original characters from the first book mainly Diana's family. I hope we can get some of the fast pace and story line again and Matthew becomes again the strong leading man in the 3rd book

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Irene

Thornleigh, Australia

11/02/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Will this night never end?"

Would you try another book from Deborah Harkness and/or Jennifer Ikeda?

No more Deborah Harkness. Ever.

Would you ever listen to anything by Deborah Harkness again?

NO

Did Jennifer Ikeda do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

It didn't really matter, it all just became a meandering blur.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Shadow of Night?

At least half of the book.

Any additional comments?

The first book was not too bad so I had hopes that this one would be paced about the same, slow but ok. This sequel was just tedious. I stuck it out but it took months, on and off. The descriptions and historical detail were impressively researched (thus the two stars not one) but it was all tied up in what is basically an endless affirmation of the infinite love between the main characters. Yawn.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

karen

Christchurch, New Zealand

15/08/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"No were good as the first book"

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I can not even finish this book. I so enjoyed the first in this series but this book did not develop the same interest and keep you wanting to listen. Disappointing.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Report Inappropriate Content

If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.